Project Circleg Turns Recycled Plastic Into Low-Cost Prosthetics

Image: Project Circleg

Project Circleg is a low-cost prosthetic leg designed by Fabian Engel and Simon Oschwald for the need of amputees in less developed countries. Its production focuses in the prevention of two problems while following a circular economy business model. Indeed, the number of amputees estimated in less developed countries that need prostheses or orthoses is about 35 million. The other issue is how to construct prosthetic legs that are efficient and sustainable while 72% of produced plastic ends up in nature. For this reason, is made from polypropylene (PP) post-consumer plastic waste, cutting the material costs down to 50% and is reinforced with glass fibres. In this way it can be produced locally and cost-effectively with simple production methods.

Image: Project Circleg

Image: Project Circleg

A product that aims to prevent a serious problem but also aims towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future. While it follows the vision of circular economy it also keeps a highly functional standard as it is especially designed to be adjusted, with a swing back mechanism, a protection cap and an ankle joint. The circleg is modular in order to change the foot and the pilon parts to the users measure and letting the user express their personality options by choosing their color of preference.